World's First KOA Kampground

Above, a typical KOA "A-frame" office and store building.
This one is at the Beaver, Utah KOA. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since the first RV I bought back in 1985 (a Starcraft pop-up trailer), I have camped at many KOA Kampgrounds over the years. Most recently (August), I stayed at the Cedar City KOA and the Brigham City KOA in Utah.

Above, The Beast at the West Entrance/Yellowstone KOA in West Yellowstone, Montana. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Some claim that they are overpriced. Yes, some are and some aren't, but what I like about them is that they are generally reasonably consistent in what travelers can expect. And they do offer discounts. Like many things, some are better than others. Amenities and location are generally what dictates what each KOA charges.

Above, The Beast at the Los Banos KOA (California). Photo by Armand Vaquer.

RV Life has posted an article on the world's first KOA Kampground. It is located in Billings, Montana. I have not camped there (as yet), but found the article interesting.

It begins with:

Sitting between Rimrock and Sacrifice Cliff along the Yellowstone River in south-central Montana, Billings is the state’s largest city and home to the world’s first KOA campground. 

The Yellowstone River, the last fully untamed free-flowing river in the lower 48 states, meanders its way along the southern edge of Billings. 

Along its banks you will find the recognizable yellow teepee insignia of the KOA (Kampgrounds of America) brand campgrounds. Founded in 1962 by Dave Drum and a group of entrepreneurs who understood the need for people traveling across the country to have an inexpensive place to camp along the way, the Billings KOA soon became–and remains to this day–an icon in franchise campgrounds. 

With 500 locations across the U.S. and Canada, KOA still dominates the camping industry and boasts the most stringent inspection standards, including a 600-point annual inspection for all of their franchised campgrounds.

Above, The Beast at the Springfield KOA in Missouri. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here.